Philippines Accuses China of Cyanide Poisoning in Disputed South China Sea Waters, Endangering Troops and Ecosystem
The Philippines accused China on April 13 of cyanide poisoning in the disputed South China Sea waters, endangering Filipino troops and marine ecosystems. The National Security Council stated that the poisoning, which began last year, primarily occurred around Second Thomas Shoal, aiming to kill fish and deprive Filipino naval personnel of food. The Philippine Navy reported seizing 10 bottles of cyanide from Chinese fishing boats last year and witnessing further dumping last month. The Philippines is considering a diplomatic protest, while China's Foreign Ministry dismissed the accusations as a "farce."
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- 📰 Published: April 13, 2026 at 19:21
- 🔍 Collected: April 13, 2026 at 19:31 (10 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 19:49 (48h 17m after Collected)
MANILA, April 13 (CNA) – The Philippines today accused China of cyanide poisoning in the disputed South China Sea waters, endangering Filipino troops and marine ecosystems. The accusation comes amid escalating tensions and repeated clashes between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the area.
The National Security Council (NSC) stated that the poisoning, which began last year, primarily occurred around Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, a region near vital shipping lanes and believed to be rich in mineral resources.
Cornelio Valencia, a senior official at the Philippine National Security Council, told a press conference that the cyanide dumping at Second Thomas Shoal was a "deliberate act of destruction intended to kill fish and deprive Filipino naval personnel of a vital food source."
Valencia added that these actions also directly threaten Philippine Navy personnel, as they may be exposed to contaminated water and consume poisoned fish, while the toxins also destroy coral ecosystems.
Philippine Navy spokesperson Roy Vincent Trinidad noted that the Philippine military seized 10 bottles of cyanide from Chinese fishing boat skiffs in February, July, and October of last year.
Trinidad said that soldiers last month witnessed another group of Chinese skiff crew members dumping cyanide near Second Thomas Shoal, and the water in that area subsequently tested positive for cyanide.
Both Valencia and Trinidad accused the mother ships of these fishermen of working for the Chinese Navy.
According to Valencia, the National Security Council expects to submit a report to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs next week, which could serve as the basis for a possible diplomatic protest from the Philippines.
China's Foreign Ministry, however, dismissed these latest accusations as a "farce." (Compiled by Hung Pei-ying) 1150413
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The National Security Council (NSC) stated that the poisoning, which began last year, primarily occurred around Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, a region near vital shipping lanes and believed to be rich in mineral resources.
Cornelio Valencia, a senior official at the Philippine National Security Council, told a press conference that the cyanide dumping at Second Thomas Shoal was a "deliberate act of destruction intended to kill fish and deprive Filipino naval personnel of a vital food source."
Valencia added that these actions also directly threaten Philippine Navy personnel, as they may be exposed to contaminated water and consume poisoned fish, while the toxins also destroy coral ecosystems.
Philippine Navy spokesperson Roy Vincent Trinidad noted that the Philippine military seized 10 bottles of cyanide from Chinese fishing boat skiffs in February, July, and October of last year.
Trinidad said that soldiers last month witnessed another group of Chinese skiff crew members dumping cyanide near Second Thomas Shoal, and the water in that area subsequently tested positive for cyanide.
Both Valencia and Trinidad accused the mother ships of these fishermen of working for the Chinese Navy.
According to Valencia, the National Security Council expects to submit a report to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs next week, which could serve as the basis for a possible diplomatic protest from the Philippines.
China's Foreign Ministry, however, dismissed these latest accusations as a "farce." (Compiled by Hung Pei-ying) 1150413
Stand with facts, your every sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom.
Download CNA's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.